Child restraint carrier and locking mechanism thereof

ABSTRACT

A child restraint carrier includes a seat body, a headrest and a locking mechanism. The headrest is movably installed on the seat body. The locking mechanism is for allowing or restraining a movement of the headrest relative to the seat body. A position of the headrest relative to the seat body can be adjusted easily by the locking mechanism to fit a child. Therefore, the present invention has an advantage of easy adjustment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/149,694 which was filed on Jan. 14, 2021, now issued U.S. Pat. No.11,279,267, which is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/565,514, which was filed on Sep. 10, 2019, nowissued U.S. Pat. No. 10,926,672, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/730,314, which was filed on Sep.12, 2018, and the contents of each of these applications is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a child product, and more particularly,to a child restraint carrier with easy adjustment, and a lockingmechanism thereof.

Description of the Prior Art

A child restraint system is specifically designed to protect a childfrom injury or death during a collision of a vehicle. The conventionalchild restraint system usually includes a base portion and a seatportion detachably installed on the base portion. When the conventionalchild restraint system is secured on a vehicle by a lower anchor or avehicle belt, the base portion must be adjusted to a proper reclinedangle. However, access to a recline actuator for adjusting the reclinedangle of the base portion is often obstructed by a seat back of thevehicle. The lower anchor or the vehicle belt has to be disconnectedfrom the conventional child restraint system in order for adjustment ofthe reclined angle of the base portion. Furthermore, a position of aheadrest relative to a seat body must be adjusted to fit a child.However, an adjustment operation of the headrest relative to the seatbody of the conventional child restraint system is complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an objective of the present invention to provide achild restraint carrier with easy adjustment, and a locking mechanismthereof.

In order to achieve the aforementioned objective, the present inventiondiscloses a child restraint carrier includes a seat body, a headrest anda locking mechanism. The headrest movably is installed on the seat body.The locking mechanism is for allowing or restraining a movement of theheadrest relative to the seat body.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lockingmechanism includes a driving component, a first engaging module and asecond engaging module. The driving component is movably disposed on theheadrest. The first engaging module is disposed on the seat body. Thesecond engaging module abuts against the driving component for engagingwith or disengaging from the first engaging module. The drivingcomponent drives the second engaging module to disengage from the firstengaging module for allowing the movement of the headrest relative tothe seat body when the driving component is operated.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the drivingcomponent includes an inclined protrusion abutting against the secondengaging module, and the second engaging module is driven by theinclined protrusion to move away from the first engaging module fordisengaging from the first engaging module when the driving component isoperated.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the drivingcomponent is partially located between the headrest and the seat body.The first engaging module and the second engaging module are located ata rear side of the seat body away from the headrest, and the inclinedprotrusion passes through the seat body to abut against the secondengaging module.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first engagingmodule includes a guiding component and a plurality of first engagingcomponents. The guiding component is for guiding the movement of theheadrest relative to the seat body. The plurality of first engagingcomponents is disposed on the guiding component for engaging with ordisengaging from the second engaging module.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second engagingmodule includes a second engaging component, a covering component and aresilient component. The second engaging component abuts against thedriving component. The covering component covers the second engagingcomponent. The resilient component abuts between the second engagingcomponent and the covering component to bias the second engagingcomponent to engage with the first engaging module.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lockingmechanism further includes a recovering component abutting between thedriving component and the headrest to recover the driving component whenthe driving component is released.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the drivingcomponent includes a handle portion exposed out of a top portion of theheadrest.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lockingmechanism further includes a rivet connecting the headrest, the drivingcomponent and the second engaging module.

In order to achieve the aforementioned objective, the present inventionfurther discloses a locking mechanism suitable for a child restraintcarrier, so as to allow or restrain a movement of a headrest relative toa seat body of the child restraint carrier. The locking mechanismincludes a driving component, a first engaging module and a secondengaging module. The driving component is movably disposed on theheadrest. The first engaging module is disposed on the seat body. Thesecond engaging module abuts against the driving component for engagingwith or disengaging from the first engaging module. The drivingcomponent drives the second engaging module to disengage from the firstengaging module for allowing the movement of the headrest relative tothe seat body when the driving component is operated.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the drivingcomponent includes an inclined protrusion abutting against the secondengaging module, and the second engaging module is driven by theinclined protrusion to move away from the first engaging module fordisengaging from the first engaging module when the driving component isoperated.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the drivingcomponent is partially located between the headrest and the seat body.The first engaging module and the second engaging module are located ata rear side of the seat body away from the headrest, and the inclinedprotrusion passes through the seat body to abut against the secondengaging module.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first engagingmodule includes a guiding component and a plurality of first engagingcomponents. The guiding component is for guiding the movement of theheadrest relative to the seat body. The plurality of first engagingcomponents is disposed on the guiding component for engaging with ordisengaging from the second engaging module.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second engagingmodule includes a second engaging component, a covering component and aresilient component. The second engaging component abuts against thedriving component. The covering component covers the second engagingcomponent. The resilient component abuts between the second engagingcomponent and the covering component to bias the second engagingcomponent to engage with the first engaging module.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lockingmechanism further includes a recovering component abutting between thedriving component and the headrest to recover the driving component whenthe driving component is released.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the drivingcomponent includes a handle portion exposed out of a top portion of theheadrest.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lockingmechanism further includes a rivet connecting the headrest, the drivingcomponent and the second engaging module.

In summary, the present invention utilizes the locking mechanism forallowing or restraining the movement of the headrest relative to theseat body, so that the position of the headrest relative to the seat canbe adjusted easily by the locking mechanism to fit the child.Furthermore, the present invention further utilizes the notch formed onthe top portion of the base body to provide access to the actuator whenthe child restraint base is installed on a vehicle, which requires nodisconnection of a lower anchor or a vehicle belt. Therefore, the childrestraint carrier and the child restraint system of the presentinvention have an advantage of easy adjustment.

These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt becomeobvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiment that isillustrated in the various figures and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded diagram of a child restraint system according toan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are diagrams of a child restraint base at differentviews according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are partial diagrams of a child restraint carrier atdifferent views according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial exploded diagram of the child restraint carrieraccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partial internal structural diagram of the child restraintcarrier according to the embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof,and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments inwhich the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directionalterminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” etc., is usedwith reference to the orientation of the Figure (s) being described. Thecomponents of the present invention can be positioned in a number ofdifferent orientations. As such, the directional terminology is used forpurposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. Accordingly, thedrawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature andnot as restrictive.

Please refer to FIG. 1 . FIG. 1 is an exploded diagram of a childrestraint system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.As shown in FIG. 1 , the child restraint system 1 includes a childrestraint base 11 and a child restraint carrier 12. The child restraintcarrier 12 can be a child car seat for providing safe and comfort to achild sitting therein. The child restraint carrier 12 is detachablyinstalled on the child restraint base 11. The child restraint base 11 issecured onto a vehicle, which is not shown in the figure, so as torestrain a movement of the child restraint base 11 or the childrestraint system 1 during a vehicle accident for achieving a purpose ofeffectively preventing injury or death of the child. However, the childrestraint carrier is not limited to this embodiment. For example, inanother embodiment, the child restraint carrier also can be a carriagebasket detachably installed on the child restraint base.

Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 . FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are diagrams ofthe child restraint base 11 at different views according to theembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , thechild restraint base 11 includes a base body 111, a reclining foot 112and an actuator 113. A notch 114 is formed on a top portion of the basebody 111. Preferably, the notch 114 can be formed on a top edge of thebase body 111. The reclining foot 112 is disposed on the base body 111and movable relative to the base body 111 to adjust a reclined angle ofthe base body 111 The actuator 113 is movably disposed on the base body111 and exposed from the notch 114. The actuator 113 is switchablebetween a locking position and a releasing position for allowing orrestraining movement of the reclining foot 112 relative to the base body111. Since the actuator 113 is exposed out of the notch 114 formed onthe top portion of the base body 111, the actuator 113 can be easilyaccessed by a user from top or front to adjust the reclining foot 112without disconnecting a lower anchor or a vehicle belt when the childrestraint base 11 is secured on a vehicle by the lower anchor or thevehicle belt.

Please refer to FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 . FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are partialdiagrams of the child restraint carrier 12 at different views accordingto the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a partial explodeddiagram of the child restraint carrier 12 according to the embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 7 is a partial internal structural diagramof the child restraint carrier 12 according to the embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 , the child restraintcarrier 12 includes a seat body 121, a headrest 122 and a harnessassembly 123. Two first slots 1211 are formed on the seat body 121. Theheadrest 122 is movably installed on the seat body 121. Two second slots1221 are formed on the headrest 122. The harness assembly 123 includestwo shoulder straps 1231. Each shoulder strap 1231 slidably passesthrough the corresponding first slot 1211 and the corresponding secondslot 1221. Heights of the two shoulder straps 1231 can be adjusted bymovement of the headrest 122 relative to the seat body 121 when theheadrest 122 moves relative to the seat body 121.

Preferably, in this embodiment, the child restraint carrier 12 furtherincludes a locking mechanism 124 for allowing or restraining themovement of the headrest 122 relative to the seat body 121, whichachieves a purpose of positioning the two shoulder straps 1231. Thelocking mechanism 124 includes a driving component 1241, a firstengaging module 1242, a second engaging module 1243, and a recoveringcomponent 1244. The driving component 1241 is movably disposed on theheadrest 122. The first engaging module 1242 is disposed on the seatbody 121. The second engaging module 1243 abuts against the drivingcomponent 1241 for engaging with or disengaging from the first engagingmodule 1242. The driving component 1241 can be operated to drive thesecond engaging module 1243 to disengage from the first engaging module1241 for allowing the movement of the headrest 122 relative to the seatbody 1241. The recovering component 1244 abuts between the drivingcomponent 1241 and the headrest 122 to recover the driving component1241 when the driving component 1241 is released.

Specifically, the driving component 1241 is partially located betweenthe headrest 122 and the seat body 121 and includes a handle portion1241A and an inclined protrusion 1241B. The inclined protrusion 1241Babuts against the second engaging module 1243 for driving the secondengaging module 1243 to move away from and disengage from the firstengaging module 1242, and the handle portion 1241A is exposed out of atop portion of the headrest 122 for allowing the user to operate.

Furthermore, the first engaging module 1242 and the second engagingmodule 1243 are located at a rear side of the seat body 121 away fromthe headrest 122. The first engaging module 1242 includes a guidingcomponent 1242A and a plurality of first engaging components 1242B. Theguiding component 1242A is for guiding the movement of the headrest 122relative to the seat body 121. The plurality of first engagingcomponents 1242B is disposed on the guiding component 1242A and locatedat two lateral sides of the guiding component 1242A for engaging with ordisengaging from the second engaging module 1243. The second engagingmodule 1243 includes a second engaging component 1243A, a coveringcomponent 1243B and a resilient component 1243C. The second engagingcomponent 1243A abuts against the inclined protrusion 1241B of thedriving component 1241. The covering component 1243B covers the secondengaging component 1243A The resilient component 1243C abuts between thesecond engaging component 1243A and the covering component 1243B to biasthe second engaging component 1243 to engage with one of the pluralityof the first engaging components 1242B of the first engaging module1242.

Preferably, in this embodiment, the guiding component 1242A can be aguiding sliding slot structure. The inclined protrusion 1241B passes theguiding sliding slot structure to abut against the second engagingcomponent 1243A. The inclined protrusion 1241B moves along the guidingsliding slot structure when the headrest 122 moves relative to the seatbody 121. The locking mechanism 124 can further include a rivet 1245passing through the headrest 122, the driving component 1241, theguiding sliding slot structure, and the second engaging component 1243A,for connecting the headrest 122, the driving component 1241 and thesecond engaging component 1243A, so as to drive the second engagingcomponent 1243A to move along the guiding sliding slot structure whenthe headrest 122 moves relative to the seat body 121. Furthermore, thefirst engaging component 1242B can be engaging teeth disposed along theguiding component 1242A, and the second engaging component 1243A can bean engaging pawl. However, it is not limited thereto.

When it is desired to adjust the shoulder straps 1231 to fit a childsitting in the child restraint carrier 12, the user only has to operatethe handle portion 1241A of the driving component 1241 to move along afirst direction D1 to drive the inclined protrusion 1241B to push thesecond engaging component 1243A to move along a second direction D2perpendicular to the first direction D1, to disengage from the firstengaging component 1242B for allowing the movement of the headrest 122relative to the seat body 121 and resiliently deform the recoveringcomponent 1244 and the resilient component 1243C. Since each shoulderstrap 1231 passes through the corresponding first slot 1211 and thecorresponding second slot 1221, heights of the two second slots 1221 canbe adjusted accordingly when the headrest 122 moves relative to the seatbody 121, which achieves a purpose of adjusting the two shoulder straps1231 to fit the child.

Besides, during the movement of the headrest 122 relative to the seatbody 121, the guiding component 1242A can cooperate with the inclinedprotrusion 1241B and/or the second engaging component 1243A to guide theheadrest 122 to move relative to the seat body 121 along a directionparallel to the first direction D1.

After adjustment of the two shoulder straps 1231 has been completed, thehandle portion 1241A of the driving component 1241 can be released, sothat the resiliently deformed recovering component 1244 and theresiliently deformed resilient component 1243C can respectively recoverthe inclined protrusion 1241B and the second engaging component 1243Aresiliently to engage the second engaging component 1243A with anotherfirst engaging component 1242B for positioning the headrest 122 relativeto the seat body 1221, which achieves the purpose of positioning the twoshoulder straps 1231.

In contrast to the prior art, the present invention utilizes the lockingmechanism for allowing or restraining the movement of the headrestrelative to the seat body, so that the position of the headrest relativeto the seat can be adjusted easily by the locking mechanism to fit thechild. Furthermore, the present invention further utilizes the notchformed on the top portion of the base body to provide access to theactuator when the child restraint base is installed on a vehicle, whichrequires no disconnection of a lower anchor or a vehicle belt.Therefore, the child restraint carrier and the child restraint system ofthe present invention have an advantage of easy adjustment.

Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerousmodifications and alterations of the device and method may be made whileretaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the abovedisclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and boundsof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A child restraint carrier comprising: a seatbody; a headrest movably installed on the seat body; and a lockingmechanism for allowing or restraining a movement of the headrestrelative to the seat body, wherein the locking mechanism comprises: adriving component movably disposed on the headrest; a first engagingmodule disposed on the seat body; and a second engaging module abuttingagainst the driving component for engaging with or disengaging from thefirst engaging module, the driving component directly driving the secondengaging module to disengage from the first engaging module for allowingmovement of the headrest both toward and away from the seat body whenthe driving component is operated in a direction away from the headrest;the driving component comprises an inclined protrusion extending in arearward direction and abutting against the second engaging module, andthe second engaging module is driven by the inclined protrusion to moveoutwardly in the rearward direction and away from the first engagingmodule for disengaging from the first engaging module when the drivingcomponent is operated.
 2. The child restraint carrier of claim 1,wherein the second engaging module comprises: a second engagingcomponent abutting against the driving component; a covering componentcovering the second engaging component; and a resilient componentabutting between the second engaging component and the coveringcomponent to bias the second engaging component to engage with the firstengaging module.
 3. The child restraint carrier of claim 1, wherein thelocking mechanism further comprises a rivet connecting the headrest, thedriving component and the second engaging module.
 4. The child restraintcarrier of claim 1, wherein the driving component is partially locatedbetween the headrest and the seat body, the first engaging module andthe second engaging module are located at a rear side of the seat bodyaway from the headrest, and the inclined protrusion passes through theseat body to abut against the second engaging module.
 5. The childrestraint carrier of claim 1, wherein the first engaging modulecomprises: a guiding component for guiding the movement of the headrestrelative to the seat body; and a plurality of first engaging componentsdisposed on the guiding component for engaging with or disengaging fromthe second engaging module.
 6. The child restraint carrier of claim 5,wherein the guiding component is a slot, and the inclined protrusion ismovable along the slot when the headrest is moved.
 7. The childrestraint carrier of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism furthercomprises a recovering component abutting between the driving componentand the headrest to recover the driving component when the drivingcomponent is released.
 8. The child restraint carrier of claim 1,wherein the driving component comprises a handle portion exposed out ofa top portion of the headrest.
 9. A child restraint carrier comprising alocking mechanism configured to allow or restrain a movement of aheadrest relative to a seat body of the child restraint carrier, thelocking mechanism comprising: a driving component movably disposed onthe headrest; a first engaging module disposed on the seat body; and asecond engaging module abutting against the driving component forengaging with or disengaging from the first engaging module, the drivingcomponent driving the second engaging module to disengage from the firstengaging module for allowing the movement of the headrest relative tothe seat body when the driving component is operated; wherein thedriving component comprises an inclined protrusion extending through theseat body in a rearward direction and abutting against the secondengaging module, and the second engaging module is driven by theinclined protrusion to move outwardly in the rearward direction and awayfrom the headrest and the first engaging module for disengaging from thefirst engaging module when the driving component is operated.
 10. Thechild restraint carrier of claim 9, wherein the first engaging modulecomprises: a guiding component for guiding the movement of the headrestrelative to the seat body; and a plurality of first engaging componentsdisposed on the guiding component for engaging with or disengaging fromthe second engaging module.
 11. The child restraint carrier of claim 10,wherein the guiding component is a slot, and the inclined protrusion ismovable along the slot when the headrest is moved.
 12. The childrestraint carrier of claim 9, wherein the driving component is partiallylocated between the headrest and the seat body, and the first engagingmodule and the second engaging module are located at a rear side of theseat body away from the headrest.
 13. The child restraint carrier ofclaim 9, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a rivetconnecting the headrest, the driving component and the second engagingmodule.
 14. The child restraint carrier of claim 9, wherein the secondengaging module comprises: a second engaging component abutting againstthe driving component; a covering component covering the second engagingcomponent; and a resilient component abutting between the secondengaging component and the covering component to bias the secondengaging component to engage with the first engaging module.
 15. Thechild restraint carrier of claim 9, wherein the locking mechanismfurther comprises a recovering component abutting between the drivingcomponent and the headrest to recover the driving component when thedriving component is released.
 16. The child restraint carrier of claim9, wherein the driving component comprises a handle portion exposed outof a top portion of the headrest.
 17. A child restraint carriercomprising: a seat body; a headrest movably installed on the seat body;and a locking mechanism for allowing or restraining a movement of theheadrest relative to the seat body, wherein the locking mechanismcomprises: a driving component movably disposed on the headrest; a firstengaging module disposed on the seat body; a second engaging moduleabutting against the driving component for engaging with or disengagingfrom the first engaging module, the driving component driving the secondengaging module to disengage from the first engaging module for allowingthe movement of the headrest relative to the seat body when the drivingcomponent is operated; and a recovering component positioned between andabutting each of the driving component and the headrest to recover thedriving component when the driving component is released; wherein thedriving component comprises an inclined protrusion extending in arearward direction and abutting against the second engaging module, andthe second engaging module is driven by the inclined protrusion to moveoutwardly in the rearward direction and away from the first engagingmodule for disengaging from the first engaging module when the drivingcomponent is operated.
 18. The child restraint carrier of claim 17,wherein the driving component is partially located between the headrestand the seat body, the first engaging module and the second engagingmodule are located at a rear side of the seat body away from theheadrest, and the inclined protrusion passes through the seat body toabut against the second engaging module.
 19. The child restraint carrierof claim 17, wherein the second engaging module comprises: a secondengaging component abutting against the driving component; a coveringcomponent covering the second engaging component; and a resilientcomponent abutting between the second engaging component and thecovering component to bias the second engaging component to engage withthe first engaging module.
 20. The child restraint carrier of claim 17,wherein the locking mechanism further comprises a rivet connecting theheadrest, the driving component, and the second engaging module.